Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has today announced that people who were given the $1,000 micro and small business grants and later got severely affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston, will be provided with some financial relief.
While handing out the $1,000 small business grant cheques to 903 people in Valelevu, Nasinu, today, Bainimarama said that assessments are underway for the cyclone affected people, and Finance Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum will make further announcements in the National Budget next Wednesday.
This includes recipients in Ovalau, Koro Island, Vanuabalavu, Savusavu, Taveuni, Rakiraki, Tavua, Lautoka and Tailevu North - all areas which were hit hard by Winston.
The Prime Minister stressed that they are relying on people to do the right thing and not try to rip off their fellow Fijians.
He saif there will be heavy penalties for those who try to make fraudulent claims but if they have honestly suffered a setback in the cyclone, the government intends to give them a further leg up.
Bainimarama said the micro and small business grant scheme is one of the government’s most important initiatives.
He said the government is empowering thousands of ordinary Fijians by giving them the means to start their own businesses.
Bainimarama said since the beginning of 2015, the government has given the recipients of these grants the means to improve their lives and of those around them.
He said more jobs and opportunities are being created through this and it is a way to tackle poverty.
The Prime Minister also called on the recipients to use the money wisely and to use it for the purpose that it has been given.
He also revealed that the government will continue with this initiative, and announcements are expected soon for people to apply for the small business grants.
Bainimarama said $5.5 million worth of grants have been handed over to 7,744 recipients from 2015 to date.
The recipients do not get cash but a cheque made out to the supplier of the goods they have asked for.
In this way, the system is much more transparent and much less open to abuse.
Meanwhile, 62-year-old Leveni Turaga from Cunningham is pleased to receive the $1,000 grant as he can now start with his poultry farming.
45-year-old Anjula Devi of Navua said she will use the money for duck farming.
She said that she is planning to expand her business and also do chicken farming.
Meanwhile, 40-year-old Amani Turaga who lives in Naitasiri said he will use the $1,000 grant to start up a dalo farming business.
Turaga said he has the farm in Naitasiri and he will use the money to start with the planting.
